Reeling apparatus



Feb. 25, 1941. Q A MATHEY 2,232,955'

REELING APHMTUSl Filed oct. 2,1937 4 Sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 25, 1941. c. A. MATHEY REELING APPARATUS Filed Oct.. 2, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E wm m MM M wm o Q mw d @L ,RS QW@ wm m Feb. 25, 1941. c. A. MA1-HEY REELING- APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR C hesfer A. M

alhey ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1941. c. A. MATHEY REELING APPARATUS Filed oct. 2, 1937 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVNTOR v C heser A. Maf/)ey BY d.HREY

Patented Feb. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES oFFlCE `.o23/2oo5 i minime. APPARATUS Chester A. Mathey? ",lulsaP Okla. Application (lctober 2, 1937,1ScrialNo. `166;2331 5 claims. K (c1.y 2545173) rIhis invention relates to a reeling apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus of that character adapted to lower and raise instruments and/or explosive charges into and from a Well hole, for example, for lowering explosive charges into an oil Well for the purpose .of enlarging the oil pocket for the reception of oil therein.

n In raising and lowering such explosive charges well products as they are stored. For example,

frequent runs are desirable tor determine the ydensity of the oil in the various strata thereof, the temperature and pressure of the o-il and other conditions within the well.

It is, therefore, the principal .object of the present invention to provide the reeling appara.- tus with controlling mechanisms for maintaining a substantially constant and/or balanced descent and ascent velocity of an instrument whenit is `descending into the well hole and being drawn therefrom.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a hydraulic pump which is connected vwith the reeling apparatus and operated thereby during rotation of the reel for controlling speed of rotation of the reeling apparatus; to provide motive power for rotating the reel torewind a line on which the well instrument is mounted; to provide a transmission on the motive power mechanism which is connected with and operates the pump whereby ascent velocity o f the instrument in the well is controlled; to provide the motor with a controlled connection tothe reel whereby the reel is rotated at a constant speed relative to actuation of the Ahydraulic mechanism; to provide a circulation line vior the hydraulic mechanism which is affected by the winding and unwinding of the linefrom the reeling apparatus for controlling pressure in the hydraulic mechanism; 4to provide a pump controlling emergency valve mechanism inthe line; to provide `a measure meter connected .with and operated by the line as it is being wound and unwound 4.from the reeling apparatus; .to provide 'braking mechanisms -for controlling rotation of the reel in emergencies; -to provide .improved clutch mechanismsinterconnecting the reeling apparatus, 'hydraulic mechanism,` ,and motive powerlmechanis-m", and -to provide a commutator on the reeling mechanism whereby an instrument on the line maybe .energized for `indicating well conditions inthe well .on :instruments at the top I of the well.

In accomplishing these and other ob-.eCls of 19 the invention, jI Ahave provided improved details .of structure, the preferred form of which is ,illus- .trated in the aooom amine @lawines wherein:

Fig. Y1 is o clan ow of .o reeling apparatus erxibodyirogv .the feat ond'shown :mounted :o trallor- Fig. 12 is a .side releva-tional view .of the reeling apparatus, :the -troirler body fbeing shown in seo.- tion to illustrato 'mounting of Vthe ,reeling appo- `rotos th l Fig.- :is-

.ono eleva-.tional 'view shomne .the :roel .in sootioo an@ :illustratingth-e :oommutator ot one @no of thooool sha-ft, ono :the roel shaft sprocket 'and .clutch members ot tho other ond c .of thohaft. n

E'ig. .4 irvgmentary :side elevational view in l tho direction oposite that of Fig. -portioularly illustrating tho liydroolo pumpood sorse and `ifluol rifosourorrooliom' reservoir tanks.-

.Fia 51S o Mdot-oil horizontal ro ooiioo through i" `tloo transmission, the .sprocket ono shafts thereof being Shovel n,.-

Figf6 eloyational view of. the circulation line valve and governor -therefon` parts of the f valve `.loomslorokon away to better illustrate its construction.

of :the presentarono-on Fis- 'l fragmentary 'plan `View of the f Sprocket eoflfof the roel, lustrotrle the oonnoos 'one -lootwoonftllo :.rool @hait-.olmo members and the'nydraulio fp .o .drive shaft olutoh momlooro Fie. 13 o verbioalfsootion through tho .omergency braking'apparatus.

Fig. ..9 is o detailporwootivo View of the .mooomomo or moon Si '.Roio. lng #no .in detail :to y,the drawings:

T-.ho 4irwolcltoo generally consists of a movable support l mounting a reeling :mocharsm 2 'hoving o V.comm tor :3 :at orlo ono thereof and a roel shaft ol bol-1 member 4 et the other ondj thereof.` ,A Ilinegliivs-wcunl upon the reel and is Voxtonood through ozmoaooro motor 6 the measure meter 19eme carried Afrom the support by the mounting 1. yelocity of an instrument not shown) yon theline ismanually controlled well in response to rotation f the reeling mech-v anism by the motive power unit. A circulation line I3 is connected with the hydraulic mechai nism 9, circulation in the line being ,controlled by a valve I4 responsive to actuationofa governor, which is operated by al'lineeenga'gin'g pulley j I5, the circulation being further controlled by a three-way throttle valve I6 in the line I3k and 'connected' with a by-pass line, I 6,', which bypasses fluid pressure medium ,around the governor and is so arranged with theivalve that back pressurel can be held on the line from the pump and can be released either to the governor actuated valve or the by-pass line I6. Fluctuations in pressure in the lines are recorded by the gauge I'I, which indicates ascent and descent speeds of the instrument in ditions. Y

More particularly, the support I preferably consists of a ltrailer including a box-like body I8 lcarried on an axle I9r having wheels 20, the body the well and other well conrbeing provided at its forward end with a suitable draft element 2| lconnectable with 'a tractor, truck or other-similar draft vehicle. It is apparent that, while a trailer is shown as the movable support for the reeling apparatus, the reeling apparatus may conveniently be mounted on a truck, or in vthe back of an automobile, and driven by the motive-power of such vehicle.

The reeling mechanismv 2, Fig, 2, is preferably mounted in the trailer body on bearing supports 22, which are provided with laterally extending anges fixed to the floor of the body by fastening devices 23. The bearing supports are provided at their upper ends with bearings 24-having lateral flanges connected tothe bearing supports by suitable fasteningdevices-25.` One of the bearing members 24 is provided withl an end cap member 26 to form a dust sealito prevent we ar of the bearing and the reel Vshaftv2'l, which has its outer ends mounted in the bearings. A reel' 28 is mounted on the shaft between the bearings and is keyed tothe shaft in a suitable manner, as shown at 29, for rotating with the shaft when power is applied to the reel' or shaft and particularly for rotating with the shaft in response to unwinding of the line 5 from the reel when an instrument applied to the line is placed over and allowed to descend into-a well hole.

The reel 28 is provided at'one end with the commutator 3 which preferably consists of a pair of conductor rings 35 mounted on an'insulat'ed hub portion 3Iv of thereel. The rings '30 have electrical connection with conductors 32 which are suitably mounted within the line 5 in such a mannerthat instruments on the line may be electrically connected therewith and with the commutator. Brushes 33, Fig. 1', are mounted on the bearings 24y adjacent vthe commutator yby, brush k supports 34, which are providedfwith terminals in a suitable manner forconnection with indicators or the like, not shown, to indicate the well conditions.

The line is preferably extended through the measure meter 6, as shown in Fig. 2, which measure meter consists of a housing having pairs of aligned wheels 35 rotatably journalled on the housing by pins or the. like 36, certain of the wheels being preferably interconnected by a gear 36, Which actuates a counter 3I, Fig. 1, and others of the wheels being provided with a tensioning device 38 for effecting positive engagement of the measure meter with the line, whereby an accurate measurement of the length of the "line payed into the well is effected.

The measure meter 6 is mounted on the trailer being provided with a socket 39 for svvivelly receiving a pin 4D forming a part of and depending from a bar 4I which has pivotally mounted thereon a bar extension 42 provided with an upwardly projecting socket 43, the socket 43 preferably being formed of pipe to receive a suitable pin or other vfastening member on the measure meter. With this arrangement the measuremeter is swivelly mounted for horizontal movement relative to the trailer in such a manner that its position may correspond to the position of the line as it plays from the reel. It is also apparent that the pivotal connection 44 of the rod extension 42 with the rod 4I adapts the measure meter for pivotal vertical movement relative to the trailer in such a manner that vibrations, jolts, and the like, incidental to operation of the reeling apparatus, are taken up so that the measure meter is at all times maintained in operable condition. A weight 45 is suitably connected, as shown at 46, with the rod extension 42 for creating a constant tension of the measure meter on the line to enhance accuracy of the measurements of the/line as it is being payed to and fromthe reel.

With the construction thus far described, it is apparent that an instrument-on the line may be lowered into the well, that the length of the line payed into the well may be measured, and that conditions in the well may be indicated through the line at the top of the well simultaneously with measurements of the line to register the position of the noted well conditions.

The braking element 8, shown'in Fig. 8, is for manually controlling descent velocity of the instrument into the well, the braking element consistingof a brake band 4'I, which is frictionally mounted on the end member 48 of the reel, the brake band/being provided with laterally extending ears 45 having apertures therein for receiving brake rods 50 which have their opposite ends pivotally mounted in an actuating member 5I in turn fixed, as s hown at 52, to a conventional hand lever 53 provided with a ratchet mechanism 55. The brake lever is mounted on a bracket 56' suitably secured to the floor of the trailer in such a manner that movement of the hand brake lever away from the reeling member pivots the brake rods and draws the brake band ends thereof toward each other to increase frictonal contact of the brake band with the reeling member to impede rotation of the reeling member and thus reduce descent velocity of the' instrument into the well.

While the braking element is adequate for impeding and stopping descent of the instrument into the well, I have found it desirable to positivelycontrol descent of the instrument and act-:aosta maintain its descent velocity uniformly constant and in balance with the speed of rotation of the reel, vfor the reason that when delicate instruments are being lowered into the Well, variations in descent velocity of such instruments or charges are quite likely to damage the instrument or effect 4premature explosion of the charge. I, therefore, provide Athe hydraulic mechanism 9 for selectively controlling rotation of the reeling member and consequently maintaining the descent of the instrument or charge constant.

` The hydraulic mechanism 9 consists of an hydraulic pump of conventional design, the pump, however, being provided with a driving shaft 51 extending outwardly from the pump to a location spaced outwardly from the end member 5-8 .of the reeling member. The shaft 51 is provided adjacent its outer end with a gear wheel 5,9 having teeth thereon, which are engageable with the teeth 60 provided on the vperiphery of the reel end member 58 in such a manner that, as the'reel isrotated in response to descent of the instrument into the Well under force of gravity, such rotation is transmitted to the gear 59 and shaft 51 for actuating the uid pump or hydraulic mechanism 9 and setting up circulation of fluid pressure medium in the circulation ,line` I3 or by-pass line I6 depending upon thev position of the valve IB, which affects ac-V tuation of the pump 9 and therefore rotation o f the reel to maintain the rotation of the reel at the speed of the pump or in balance therewith.v rIuhe instrument on the line is therefore maintained at .a uniform descent velocity depending upon the speed of the pump through circulation of the pressure medium through the respective lines.

In order to 'ascertain Well conditions throughout descent of the instrument in the Well, the gauge I1 is provided, which is mounted on a surge tank SI, as shown in Fig. 4, the surge tank being connected by a tube B2 and T member G3 to the circulation line I3. It is apparent that fluctuations in descent velocity of the instrument affects rotation of the reel, which in turn aiects actuation o f the pump, which uctations in circulation are recorded by the gauge in such a manner that an operator observing the gauge is able to ascertain the Well conditions.

The throttle valve IB is also used to control descent velocity of the instrument into the Well, the throttle valve preferably being of conventional design and being mounted at a juncture of the circulation line I3, and by-pass line I6. The throttle valve is for increasing or decreasing resistance to circulation of fluid pressure medium in the circulation and by-pass lines in such a manner that speed of actuation of the hydraulic pump is accordingly increased or decreased.

An oil reservoir 88 is also mounted in the circulation line in a convenient position for maintaining a head of fluid pressure medium for the hydraulic pump through a connection 81.

I have found it desirable to further control circulation of fluid pressure medium throughout the circulation line, and to this end, I have provided thegovernor I4 in the circulation line I3, the governor being particularly illustrated in Fig. 6.` A valve body 68 is mounted in the circulation line I3, which has an inlet compartment 69 communicating with an outlet compartment 1c thereof through a valve opening 1I, the valve opening 1I being controlled as to size by the valve 12 which is fiXed to a preferably verticall'y extending valve stem 13. Ilhe valve stem v1'3 extends 4upwardly out of the bored flange 14 of the vvalve body 68 and into the bored flange 15 of the governor body. The flanges 'I4 and "I5 are suitably -xed in sealing relation by the fastening devices 16 and the Valve stem I3 is connected Wit-h the governor arms 11 in the usual manner in order that, as the governor stem 18 is rotated through Arotation of the beveled gear 19 by the connected gear 89, the governor arms 11 are rotated and lifted by centrifugal force to also lift the valve stem 13 and the valve 12 to close the valve opening 1I for increasing resistance to circulation of fluid pressure medium in the circulation lline for slowing down actuation of the hydraulic pump to consequently -reduce descent velocity of the instrument in the Well and thus maintain such velocity at a constant speed.

The governor is actuated by a sprocket 8| which is fixed to the gear in a suitable manner exteriorly of the governor body, the sprocket 5I being turned preferably by a chain 82 Which passes over ,a sprocket 83, as particularly shown in Fig. 1. The sprocket 83 is mounted at one end of a driven shaft 84 which has its ends rotatably mounted in bearings 85 preferably secured to the floor of the trailer. Rotation of the shaft 84 is effected by a sheave 81 or the like, Which is preferably keyed to the shaft 84, but which is adapted to slide laterally relative to the shaft in such a manner as to receive the line 5 in the peripheral groove 38 thereof and follow the line in its relative positions on the reel as the line is being Wound or unWound from the reel, it being apparent that, as the line is unwound relative to the reel, its frictional contact with the sheave 81 rotates the same and consequently the shaft 84 to actuate the governor for aiectng circulation in the line in pro.- portion to speed of descent of the instrument into the Well to thus create a balance between actuation of the pump, rotation of the reel and descent of the instrument into the Well.

A shaft .88 is also mounted on the trailer by the bearings Si), which is provided with .a sheave 9| rotatably mounted on the shaft and alignable with the sheave 81 in such a manner that the line 5 may be threaded under the sheave 81 and over the sheave SI for eiecting more positive engagement of the line with the sheave 81 and consequently causing positive actuation of `the governor valve I4 in response to movement of the line.

With the construction thus far described, it is apparent that I have provided a reeling apparatus which is adapted to lower an instrument into a Well, the descent velocity of such instrument in the Well being balanced with rotation of the reel and actuation of the hydraulic pump in such a manner that a constant velocity of the instrument is maintained relative to the reel so that line entanglements are prevented and efficient operation of the reeling apparatus `is effected.

It is necessary to provide for rewinding the line on the reel to Withdraw the instrument from the Well and to this end, I provide the motor `IILthe motor proper being of conventional design and being provided with a drive shaft 92, which lis engaged through a suitable coupling 93 with the driven shaft 94 of the transmission II. The shaft 94 of the transmission is lrotatably journalled in ,a bearing Y95, the bearing 95 being mounted `in an opening 96 at one side `of the *la housing |I, which encloses the transmission elements. The opposite side of the transmission housing is closed by a sprocket 91, which is fixed thereto by suitable fastening devices 98 and which is provided at its periphery with sprocket teeth 99. The sprocket 91 is provided at its center with an opening |00 for receiving a bearing |0I in which a shaft |02 is rotatably mounted. The opening |00 is reduced at the inner face of the sprocket to form a seat |03 for the hub |04 of a sun gear |05, the sun gear being keyed, as shown at |06, to a reduced portion |01 of the shaft |02 adjacent the inner end. The sun gear |05 is further provided with a bearing |08 engaged about the shaft 94 for rotatably mounting the sun gear |05 on the shaft 94, yet fixing the sun gear |05 to the reduced portion |01 of the shaft |02 thereby supporting the inner ends of both shafts. A sun gear |09 is keyed, as shown at ||0, on the shaft 94 adjacent the opening 96 in the transmission housing |I. Aligned openings ||2 and ||3 are provided in the transmission housing and sprocket, respectively, for receiving the ends of a shaft ||4 on which is mounted the planetary gear H5, the planetary gear having a set of gear teeth IIB which are engageable with the gear teeth of the sun gear |09, a set of gear teeth ||1 also being provided on the planetary gear 5 which are engageable with the gear teeth of the sun gear |05. A planetary gear IIB, similar to the planetary gear I I5, is mounted in the transmission housing on a shaft ||9 mounted in aligned openings |20 and |2| in the transmission housing and sprocket 91, respectively, which planetary gear I I8 has teeth |22 engageable with the teeth of the sun gear |09 and teeth I 23 engageable with the teeth of the sun gear |05.

A sprocket wheel |24 is keyed adjacent the outer end of the shaft |02, which is provided with teeth |25, the extreme outer end of the shaft |02 being mounted in a suitable bearing |26, which is secured to the trailer oor by fastening devices |21.

A chain |28 is engaged about the sprocket |24 and extends toward the reeling member for enJ gagement about the toothed sprocket |29 of a floating clutch member |30 mounted on the outer end |3| of the reel shaft 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, it being apparent that, as the motor I0 is actuated and the sprocket |24 rotated, loose rotation of the sprocket |29 on the reel shaft is also effected.

A chain |32 is also mounted on the sprocket 91 of the transmission which extends over and about a sprocket |33 which is loosely mounted on the outer end of the hydraulic pump driving shaft 51, the extreme outer end of such shaft being mounted in a suitable bearing |34 which is preferably fixed to the floor of the trailer by suitable fastening devices |35` It is'apparent that, as the transmission housing as a Whole is rotated in response to rotation of the motor drive shaft, the sprocket |33, due to its loose mounting on the shaft 51, is also rotated on the shaft 51, neither the sprocket |24 nor the transmission gear Wheel transmitting any power to the pump shaft 51 or the reel shaft 21 with the construction thus far described.

There is a tendency for the transmission housing I| and the sprocket |24 to rotate in response to rotation of the shaft 94 of the motor I0 when the motor is actuated. If resistance is applied to the transmission housing and the sprocket |24 remains free, the tendency is for the transmission housing to cease rotation and yet the sprocket continues to rotate. When resistance is applied to the sprocket |24, the tendency is for the sprocket to cease rotation while the transmission housing continues its rotation. Thus a selective driving connection of the motor with the reel and pump is effected by selectively taking power from the transmission or sprocket respectively.

As above pointed out, the transmission is connected through the chain |32 with the pump shaft sprocket |33. The pump shaft sprocket is provided on its inner face with clutch teeth |36, Fig. l, which are engageable with clutch teeth |31 of a clutch member |38 which is fixed to the pump shaft gear 59. A clutch lever |39 is loosely mounted on the clutch member I 38 and is fixed to a pump clutch shaft |40 which has its ends mounted in bearings |4| and |42 respectively fixed in a suitable manner to the iioor of the trailer. The end |43 of the pump clutch shaft is pivotally mounted on a bell-crank I 44 which is pivotally mounted, as shown at |45, to the floor of the trailer and which has an angularly extending arm on which is pivotally mounted an angularly extending rod |46. The rod |46 is pivotally connected with a hand lever |41 which is placed conveniently relative to the measure meter and gauge |1 in such a manner that an operator of the reeling apparatus may stand in one position and observe the reading of the measure meter, the fluctuations of the gauge, and also actuate the pump clutch shaft hand lever. As the clutch lever |41 is moved in one direction, for example, to the right, as shown in Fig. 1, such motion is transmitted to the gear wheel 59 to effect its engagement with the gear wheel 60 of the reeling member. This operation is for the purpose of connecting the reeling member with the hydraulic pump shaft for controlling descent velocity of an instrument on the line. Upon reverse motion or shifting of the clutch lever |41, the gear wheel 59 is moved on the shaft 51 away from the gear Wheel 60 to effect interengagement of the clutch members |36 and |31 for connecting the hydraulic pump with the transmission to control ascent velocity of the instrument on the line when the reel is rotated to Wind the line thereon in response to actuation of the motor I0.

Such interengagement of the hydraulic pump clutch member with the transmission clutch member is particularly illustrated in Fig. 7 which also illustrates the clutch member 4 on the reel shaft 21.

As above pointed out, the clutch member |30 is loosely mounted on the outer end |3| of the reel shaft 21 and is provided With clutch teeth |48 which are interengageable with clutch teeth |49 on a clutch member |50 which is suitably xed to the outer end of the reel shaft 21. A clutch yoke |5| is loosely mounted on the clutch member |50, the yoke being fixed to a shaft |52 which has its ends mounted in bearings |53 and |54 fixed on the floor of the trailer in spaced relation to the bearings I4| and |42 of the pump shaft clutch lever mechanism. The shaft |52 has its end opposite the clutch member pivotally mounted on one arm of a bell-crank |55, which isv suitably fixed, as shown at |56, to the trailer floor. The other arm of the bell-crank has pivotally mounted thereon a link |51 to which is secured a hand lever |50 adjacent the pump clutch lever |41 in such a manner that a single operator may conveniently actuate both levers for selectively connecting the respective clutches thereof, the reel shaft 21 with the motor sprocket |24, and the pump shaft with the transmission respectively in such a manner that, as the andover the grooved sheave 9|.

motor I is being actuated to rotatethe reel in a direction suitable for Winding the line thereon,

th'etransmission 1is engaged with the pump shaftv for creating a balance between the motor, pump and reel so that the ascent velocity of an instrument, as it isbeing drawn out of the well, is in proportion to the speed of the motor I and its Withdrawal is therefore smooth and Without jerks so that Vhazard tothe instrument on the line is precluded. 1 t

4A hand 1ever|59 is also located onthe'trailer floor adjacent the hand levers |41 and |58, which is connected by a rod |60 with one arm of a bellcrank |6| pivotally mounted relative toy the trailer, as shown at |62.. lThe other armof the bell-crank is provided with a connecting rodl3, which-lis pivotally securedto a lever |64 on the motor :clutch shaft `|65 for effecting driveofthe motordrive shaft 92 in response to the conventional engagement of gears in the gear box |56 of `themmotorf` in response to actuationof the motorhand lever |59. i

The operation of a reeling apparatus constructed as described is as follows: i v

Assuming .the trailer or other support for car.- ryingthe reeling apparatus to be positioned adjacent a well hole, theline or cable 5 is threaded under the` sheave 8l and in the groove 88 thereof The line is further extended and threaded through the measurejmeter` E, -as shown in Fig. 2, and the end of the line, is provided with an instrument adapted to be electrically energized through its `connection with the line'and the commutator 3| insuch a manner that well conditions maybe recorded onsuitable gauges at the `top ofthe well. The instrument, or an explosive charge, as the case may be,is attached to the line and` .placed over the well hole.

The hand lever |58 is then moved to disengage the reel shaft clutch members and the khand lever |41- is moved toV effect engagement "of the pump shaftzgear-wheel 59 with the reel gear wheel 58.

The-brake lever, 53 is then moved to release the brake `band from the reel and the instrument is lowered into the well by gravitation and consequently rotates the reel as the 'lineis unwound therefrom. l Rotation of the reel iscontrolled by the hydraulic pump 9 since the shaftof the pump isfrotated in response to rotation of :the reel through the gear Wheel 59.

During such actuation of the pump, fluid pressure medium is circulated through the line I3 or by-pass line I6 depending uponthe position of the three-way throttle valve IS, and fluctuations are recorded on the gauge in such a manner that the operator of the apparatus may ascertain descent conditions, for example, velocity of descent of the instrument into the well. Under one set of conditionsffor example, circulation is further vcontrolled by the throttle valve I6 so that circulation may be increased or decreased through the pump for further affecting descent velocity of the instrument.` As the line is unwound and as it travels over the sheaves 8l and 9|, the shaft 84 is rotated to actuate the governor valve I4 in proportion to speed of rotation of the shaft, or descent of the instrument, the governor valve opening or closing depending upon the speed of descent of the instrument and therefore further controlling circulation of fluid pressure medium in the hydraulic pump circulation line.

It is apparentthat the sheaves are adapted to reciprocate laterally on their shafts` in correspondenceto therelative positions of the line on the reel and that the `measure meter is adapted to swing both horizontally;` and `vertically in re-` sponse to the position ofthe line in such a manner that accurate recordings areobtained from the counter 3l of the` measure meter, the line always being held taut relative touthe measure meter by thev weight on, the measure Vmeter mounting.

Whenthednstrument .orcharge has reached the bottom of thefwelland 4therecordings have been obtained relative to 4,conditions of the well, the lever |58 is moved to. effectengagement of the reelnshaft clutch.membersvto effect a driving connection between the motor .l0 and the reel shaft. `The clutchdever `UH is alsol moved toV effect disengagementcfthe pump shaft gear 5!!` from thev reel `gear 6 0 and `engagement of the pump l.shaft clutch members to ,thus connect the pumpwithLthe motorthrough the transmission sprocket.; The motor ||l Hiswthen `,energized and the .hand leverA |59 therefor is moved to yeffect, clutching engagement of themotor withthe drive shaft- 92 and the transmission--drive.shaft 94 4for rotating `the shafts and drivingthe sprocket |24 to rotatev thelreel. As the reel `is rotated, the line is Wound thereon in reverse manner to that above describedland the Ihydraulic pump, which ascent of the instrument. i t

The mentioned balance is .effected by reason of the .tendencyof both thetransmission housing and sprocket .|24 to, rotate together `:in response toactuation of the motor.` `It is apparent, however, thatsince the transmission isconnected with the hydraulicl pumpshaft, a resistance is set up inopposition to rotation of the transmission of ,an intensity-,depending.upon fluid displacement of the hydraulic pump, which in turn is governed, in part, by the` speed in winding of theline on the reel, or, in other words, speed of ascent of the instrument in the well. `Resistance to rotationof thetransmission causes a ,slip in the sun andplanetary gears vof the transmission relative to the sprocket shaft:,|02, which resists rotationof thesprocket |24 in proportion to the amount of slip or resistancein and to rotation of thetransmission. L .The reelis, therefore, rotated throughthe sprocket |24 at a speed proportionate to resistance ofthe hydraulic pump. Since the hydraulic pump is actuated at a speed proportionate to the speed of the ascent of the instrument, a balance between the instrument and reeling apparatus is thus eiected.

The result of this balance is that the ascent of the instrument as it is being withdrawn from the well is uniform and unbroken and fluctuations in the recordings are uniform and easily ascertainable in such a manner that the Well conditions and the condition of the instrument or charges are protected.

The principal advantages in an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention are that accurate recordings may be obtained of Well conditions. Danger of premature explosions of explosive charges is eliminated. Ascent and descent velocities of` instruments or charges in the well are balanced with the motive power effecting such movements, and a smoothly operating machine is provided which is efficient in such operation.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Ina reeling apparatus, asupport, a; reel rotatably mounted on the support,A a line wound on the reel adapted to receiveL an. instrument and raise and lower samev relative to a Well hole, a hydraulic pump mounted on saidv support, means operatively connected with` the pump and engageable with the reel adapted to actuate said pump in response to rotation of said reel, a fluid pressure medium circulation line connected with said pump, a valve mounted in said circulation line, a governor operatively' connected With and controlling actuation oi'- said valve, means on the support adapted to receive the line as it is payed from the reel, means operatively engaged With said line receiving means operatively engaged with the governor for actuating' same responsive to movement of said line to affect circulation of hydraulic pressure medium through the valve and pump for controlling velocity of rotation of said reel, a throttle valve mounted in the circulation lin-e cooperative with the first named valve in aifecting circulation through the pump, and a bypass line connected with the circulation line and by-passing the governor, said line being controllable by the throttler valve for creating backpressure on the pump.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a reel having a line wound thereon and adapted to be payed therefrom, a circulatingv duct, a hydraulic pump having inlet and outlet connections with the circulating duct for circulating a fluid medium through the duct, a driving connection between the reel and pump', la throttle valve in said circulating duct controlling circulation of the uid medium by said pump4 to regulate speed of the pump and exert a braking iniiuence on said reel, apulleyv having driving contact with the line payed from said reel, a centri-fuga] governor having driven connection with the pulley, means connecting thel centrifugal governor with the throttle valve to eiect control1 of the circulated medium responsive to pay of the line from the reel', a by-pass duct connected with the circulating duct in by-passing relation with the' throttle valve for circulating fluid medium around the throttle valve, and a manually actuated valve connected in said ducts for selectively controlling ow of the circulated medium through the throttle valve and said {Jy-pass duct.

3'. In an apparatus of the character described, a reel for winding a line thereon, a motor, a driving shaft connected with the motor, a power shaft, a driving connection between the-power shaft and said reel, sun gears on the respective shafts, planet gears interconnecting the sun gears, means mounting the planet gears for planetation about the sun gears, hydraulic means controlling planetation of the planet gears, means for connecting the planet gears with said hydraulic means, regulating means for controlling said hydraulic means, means having driven contact with the line for actuating the regulating means, means for connecting the hydraulic means with the reel, and means for selectively rendering said connecting means effective.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a reel for Winding a line thereon, a motor, a driving connection between the motor and the reel, a hydraulic pump, a diiferential in said driving connection, means connecting' the differential with the hydraulic pump, a circulating duct connected with the hydraulic pump, a throttle connected with said circulating duct for controlling circulation of iiuid medium by said pump, means actuated responsive to pay of the line onto the reel for actuating the' throttle to effect control of said diiferential responsive to pay of the line onto the reel, a by-pass connected with the circulating duct on the respective sides of the throttle, and means for selectively controlling said by-pass.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a reel for winding a line thereon, a motor, a driving connection between the motor and the reel, a hydraulic pump, a differential in said driving connection, means connecting the differential with the hydraulic pump, a circulating duct connected with the hydraulic pump, a throttle connected with said circulating duct for controlling circulation of fluid medium by said pump, a centrifugal governor connected with the throttle, means for :actuating the centrifugal governor responsive to pay of the line onto the reel to control said fluid medium circulated by the hydraulic pump for effecting operation of the speed ofthe differential responsive to pay of the line onto the reel, a by-pass connected with the circulating duct on the respective sides of the throttle, and valve means selectively rendering the by-pass effective for controlling flow of the circulated medium and effecting variation in speed of the differential independently of the throttle valve.

CHESTER A. MATHEY. 

